Introduce Ordinance #25-06 Amending Chapter 26: Rental Residential Dwelling Units

At the Council's work session on November 12, the City Council discussed concerns with various inspections aspects of the Rental Housing Licensing and Inspections program.  At the regular meeting that night, the Council introduced an ordinance to remove the Crime Free Housing component of the program.  Staff stated that we would come back with a separate action to for the inspections portion of the program so not to hold up the property owners' and managers' concerns about finding a Crime Free class to take.  That ordinance was adopted on November 26.  In the subsequent months, the Council and staff have been working on a draft policy regarding the Rental Inspection program.  

In front of the Council tonight are both the policy and an ordinance.  The ordinance amends Chapter 26 pertaining to the Rental Inspections requirements for the sections pertaining to background checks, terminology correction ("manager" instead of "agent"), and some remaining references to the former Crime-Free Housing Program that was terminated in late 2024.  It also contains a provision authorizing the Council to adopt a policy document concerning inspections.   

After review of City Code, it was determined that a policy document would be more appropriate to address Council concerns surrounding the tenant's right to privacy and how rental inspections are conducted.  Attached is the proposed policy that the Council has been working on for the past five months.  A policy is adopted by resolution (one trip to Council) versus a change in City Code that is adopted by ordinance (two trips to Council).  The policy document will be formally acted upon after the Ordinance is adopted authorizing such a policy.  

State Law does authorize communities to have rental inspections programs surrounding maintenance of the structure and unit while balancing a tenant's right to privacy.  State Statute 504B.211 is attached to this report.    Ramsey's Rental Housing Licensing and Inspections program is modeled after Coon Rapids' and several other communities' successful programs.  The program was initially unanimously approved by the City Council on September 12, 2023.
 

None required.

Staff recommends introducing Ordinance #25-06.

Motion to Introduce Ordinance #25-06 Amending Chapter 26: Rental Residential Dwelling Units.

Roll Call Vote

Note: The Inspections Policy will be considered after the adoption of Ordinance #25-06 on April 8.  Feedback on the attached draft is welcomed tonight.